Networks II
Encyclopedia
Networks II is an Apple II-based single-tasking BBS
package, written by Nick Naimo. It is one of the earlier BBS software programs to be written for the Apple II, which was at the time dominated by mini and mainframe-based BBS', including CBBS
. The exact year of its birth is undocumented, but BBSs running Networks II were seen as early as 1981.
Written entirely in Applesoft BASIC
and 6502
assembly language, earlier versions of Networks II was compatible with only the Hayes Micromodem II
family of modems and compatibles. Later versions were written to take advantage of the Novation Apple-CAT II and the Hayes Smartmodem
lines with an Apple Super Serial or compatible card.
Throughout its lifespan, Networks II runs only under DOS 3.x
. It also supports up to four Disk II
or compatible disk drives.
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
package, written by Nick Naimo. It is one of the earlier BBS software programs to be written for the Apple II, which was at the time dominated by mini and mainframe-based BBS', including CBBS
CBBS
CBBS was a computer software program created by Ward Christensen to allow him and other computer hobbyists to exchange information between one another....
. The exact year of its birth is undocumented, but BBSs running Networks II were seen as early as 1981.
Written entirely in Applesoft BASIC
Applesoft BASIC
Applesoft BASIC was a dialect of Microsoft BASIC supplied with the Apple II series of computers. It superseded Integer BASIC and was the BASIC in ROM in all Apple II series computers after the original Apple II model. It was also referred to as FP because of the command used to invoke it instead...
and 6502
MOS Technology 6502
The MOS Technology 6502 is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology in 1975. When it was introduced, it was the least expensive full-featured microprocessor on the market by a considerable margin, costing less than one-sixth the price of...
assembly language, earlier versions of Networks II was compatible with only the Hayes Micromodem II
Hayes Microcomputer Products
Hayes Microcomputer Products was a U.S.-based manufacturer of modems. They are particularly well known for their Smartmodem, which is introduced the ability to control the modem through commands sent in the data stream itself. The "smart modem" approach dramatically simplified operation, making...
family of modems and compatibles. Later versions were written to take advantage of the Novation Apple-CAT II and the Hayes Smartmodem
Hayes Microcomputer Products
Hayes Microcomputer Products was a U.S.-based manufacturer of modems. They are particularly well known for their Smartmodem, which is introduced the ability to control the modem through commands sent in the data stream itself. The "smart modem" approach dramatically simplified operation, making...
lines with an Apple Super Serial or compatible card.
Throughout its lifespan, Networks II runs only under DOS 3.x
Apple DOS
Apple DOS refers to operating systems for the Apple II series of microcomputers from late 1978 through early 1983. Apple DOS had three major releases: DOS 3.1, DOS 3.2, and DOS 3.3; each one of these three releases was followed by a second, minor "bug-fix" release, but only in the case of Apple DOS...
. It also supports up to four Disk II
Disk II
The Disk II Floppy Disk Subsystem was a 5¼-inch floppy disk drive designed by Steve Wozniak and manufactured by Apple Computer. It was first introduced in 1978 at a retail price of US$495 for pre-order; it was later sold for $595 including the controller card and cable...
or compatible disk drives.
Original features
The original, un-hacked features of Networks II include:- Text-based, teletype-like display.
- Individual user name and passwords.
- Message board, called forums. The original code can handle only one forum.
- Support for the Thunderware ThunderClock and compatible cards.
- Chat mode between the sysopNetwork administratorA network administrator, network analyst or network engineer is a person responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and software that comprises a computer network...
and user. - Administrative tools. Must take the BBS down in order to run any administrative tasks.
- ASCII-based Applesoft and Integer BASICInteger BASICInteger BASIC, written by Steve Wozniak, was the BASIC interpreter of the Apple I and original Apple II computers. Originally available on cassette, then included in ROM on the original Apple II computer at release in 1977, it was the first version of BASIC used by many early home computer owners...
, and binary file downloading. Program source code need to be converted to ASCII before it can be downloadable. The download system only worked if the user dialed-in from BASIC using the Hayes MMII's CTRL key sequences. Once downloading is invoked, Networks II sends the user's Apple II into the language of choice (FP, INT, or CALL -151), the ASCII code is uploaded as if entered by keyboard, and then a SAVE or BSAVEBSAVE (graphics image format)A BSAVE Image as it is referenced in a graphics program is an image file format created usually by saving raw video memory to disk ....
is sent to save the program to disk.
Hacks
- Hosting of multiple forums.
- Threading of forums
- Binary searching the user entries (instead of sequential database access)
- Loading pointers into memory instead of the slow sequential text file methology
- Support for extended and lower case characters.
- Interactive games and surveys.
- Switching from Networks II to ASCII Express ProfessionalASCII ExpressASCII Express is a telecommunications program, written for the Apple II series of computers. At a time when the use of the bulletin board system , or even telecommunications in general wasn't a common use of the Apple II, ASCII Express was the choice among telecommunication users throughout much...
without disconnecting the user. This allowed Networks II to indirectly support XMODEMXMODEMXMODEM is a simple file transfer protocol developed as a quick hack by Ward Christensen for use in his 1977 MODEM.ASM terminal program. XMODEM became extremely popular in the early bulletin board system market, largely because it was so simple to implement...
, Ward ChristensenWard ChristensenWard Christensen, born in West Bend, Wisconsin, U.S., is the founder of the CBBS bulletin board, the first bulletin board system ever brought online...
protocol, ZMODEMZMODEMZMODEM is a file transfer protocol developed by Chuck Forsberg in 1986, in a project funded by Telenet in order to improve file transfers on their X.25 network...
, and other advanced file transfer protocols. The only problem with this hack is that ASCII Express Pro cannot re-connect to Networks II. - Support for more than two disk drives, i.e. support for multiple volumes when used with a hard disk drive.
- Support for ProDOS 8ProDOSProDOS was the name of two similar operating systems for the Apple II series of personal computers. The original ProDOS, renamed ProDOS 8 in version 1.2, was the last official operating system usable by all Apple II series computers, and was distributed from 1983 to 1993...
.